Image credits: Wikimedia Commons
Bernie Sanders
September 8, 1941
Brooklyn, New York, US
85 Years Old
Virgo
Who Is Bernie Sanders?
Bernard Sanders is an American politician and activist, known for his consistent progressive ideals and long-standing public service. His career has focused on advocating for the working class and addressing economic inequality across the United States.
He first gained widespread national attention during his 2016 presidential campaign, which galvanized millions with its message of democratic socialism. His grassroots movement energized voters and significantly shifted political discourse; he is often seen wearing his signature unpretentious suits.
Early Life and Education
Born into a working-class Jewish family in Brooklyn, New York, Bernard Sanders experienced firsthand the struggles of economic disparity, a theme that would later define his political career. His father, Eli, was a Polish-Jewish immigrant who worked as a paint salesman.
Sanders attended James Madison High School, where he excelled on the basketball team, before briefly studying at Brooklyn College. He then transferred to the University of Chicago, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science in 1964, having already engaged in civil rights activism.
Notable Relationships
Bernard Sanders is married to Jane O'Meara Sanders, with whom he shares a close partnership in both his personal and political life. Their relationship began in the 1980s, during his early political career in Vermont.
Sanders is the father of one biological son, Levi Sanders, and three stepchildren from Jane's previous marriage: Heather Driscoll, Carina Driscoll, and David Driscoll. They have several grandchildren.
Career Highlights
Across five decades, Bernard Sanders has built an impactful career in American politics, distinguished by his independent stance and unwavering advocacy for progressive policies. He served as Mayor of Burlington for eight years, then sixteen years as a U.S. Representative before his election to the U.S. Senate in 2006.
Sanders gained significant national and international recognition through his 2016 and 2020 presidential campaigns, which championed universal healthcare, free college tuition, and tackling income inequality. He remains the longest-serving independent in US congressional history.
Signature Quote
A nation will not survive morally or economically when so few have so much and so many have so little.